Planewave RC20 — 20-Inch Ritchey-Chrétien Optical Tube Assembly
The 20-Inch Ritchey-Chrétien (RC20) from PlaneWave Instruments exemplifies the blend of advanced engineering and high-performance design tailored for professional astronomers and astrophotographers. With its Ritchey-Chrétien optical design, the RC20 is ideal for delivering sharp, high-contrast images for a variety of demanding observational and scientific applications.
Key Features Overview
The RC20 is notable for its superior specifications and features:
- 20-inch (508 mm) aperture
- Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) optical design
- 3556 mm focal length
- f/7 focal ratio
- 147 mm back focus from racked in focuser
- Dual carbon-fiber truss design
- Lightweight and robust construction
-
About the RC20 — 20-Inch Ritchey-Chrétien Optical Tube Assembly
RC20’s Key Features
Large Aperture and Ritchey-Chrétien Optics
The RC20 features a purely reflective Ritchey-Chrétien optical system, which includes high-quality mirrors with enhanced coatings. This setup minimizes chromatic aberration and ensures excellent light throughput, providing superb image fidelity and contrast. This optical design shines when making observations, primarily on-axis, and wide-field imaging is not a concern.
Mechanical Structure
Constructed from lightweight yet durable materials, including a dual carbon-fiber truss design, the 20-inch Ritchey-Chrétien ensures structural integrity and reduces the overall weight. This makes it easier to handle and mount on various telescope mounts.
Thermal Management
Equipped with three cooling fans at the back of the telescope, the RC20 achieves thermal equilibrium quickly. This feature helps to reduce air turbulence inside the telescope tube, minimizing thermal distortions and maintaining optimal imaging conditions.
Application-Specific Benefits
Astrophotography
The large aperture and precision optics of the 20-Inch Ritchey-Chrétien enable astrophotographers to capture detailed and crisp images of celestial phenomena, making it an excellent tool for capturing faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.
Astronomy Research
With its reliable performance and detailed imaging capabilities, the 20-inch Ritchey-Chrétien is a valuable asset for universities and research observatories that engage in complex studies such as stellar classification, photometric research, and other scientific investigations.
Aperture508 mm (20")Focal Length3556 mm (140")Focal Ratiof/7Central Obstruction39% of the Primary Mirror DiameterBack Focus from Racked in Focuser147 mm (5.8")Weight140 lbs (63.5 kg)OTA Length1194 mm (47")Upper CageCarbon Fiber TrussLower CageCarbon Fiber Truss with Carbon Fiber Light Shroud
Diameter 191mm (7.5") Material Fused silica Shape Hyperbolic Coating Enhanced Aluminum – 96% Optical Diameter508 mm (20")Outer Diameter521 mm (20.5")ShapeHyperbolicMaterialEnhanced Aluminum – 96%CoatingFused Silica
Included Items Heating Elements for Dew Prevention - The heating pads on the primary and secondary mirror require the 600195 Delta-T controller sold separately OTA Cover - To protect the primary mirror and inside of the optical tube Flashdrive - Contains software and instructions for collimation and spacing the primary to secondary mirror Wrench Set (5812A35) - Standard hex wrenches (European orders only)
Description
The 20-Inch Ritchey-Chrétien (RC20) from PlaneWave Instruments exemplifies the blend of advanced engineering and high-performance design tailored for professional astronomers and astrophotographers. With its Ritchey-Chrétien optical design, the RC20 is ideal for delivering sharp, high-contrast images for a variety of demanding observational and scientific applications.
Key Features Overview
The RC20 is notable for its superior specifications and features:
- 20-inch (508 mm) aperture
- Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) optical design
- 3556 mm focal length
- f/7 focal ratio
- 147 mm back focus from racked in focuser
- Dual carbon-fiber truss design
- Lightweight and robust construction
-
About the RC20 — 20-Inch Ritchey-Chrétien Optical Tube Assembly
RC20’s Key Features
Large Aperture and Ritchey-Chrétien Optics
The RC20 features a purely reflective Ritchey-Chrétien optical system, which includes high-quality mirrors with enhanced coatings. This setup minimizes chromatic aberration and ensures excellent light throughput, providing superb image fidelity and contrast. This optical design shines when making observations, primarily on-axis, and wide-field imaging is not a concern.
Mechanical Structure
Constructed from lightweight yet durable materials, including a dual carbon-fiber truss design, the 20-inch Ritchey-Chrétien ensures structural integrity and reduces the overall weight. This makes it easier to handle and mount on various telescope mounts.
Thermal Management
Equipped with three cooling fans at the back of the telescope, the RC20 achieves thermal equilibrium quickly. This feature helps to reduce air turbulence inside the telescope tube, minimizing thermal distortions and maintaining optimal imaging conditions.
Application-Specific Benefits
Astrophotography
The large aperture and precision optics of the 20-Inch Ritchey-Chrétien enable astrophotographers to capture detailed and crisp images of celestial phenomena, making it an excellent tool for capturing faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.
Astronomy Research
With its reliable performance and detailed imaging capabilities, the 20-inch Ritchey-Chrétien is a valuable asset for universities and research observatories that engage in complex studies such as stellar classification, photometric research, and other scientific investigations.
Aperture508 mm (20")Focal Length3556 mm (140")Focal Ratiof/7Central Obstruction39% of the Primary Mirror DiameterBack Focus from Racked in Focuser147 mm (5.8")Weight140 lbs (63.5 kg)OTA Length1194 mm (47")Upper CageCarbon Fiber TrussLower CageCarbon Fiber Truss with Carbon Fiber Light Shroud
Diameter 191mm (7.5") Material Fused silica Shape Hyperbolic Coating Enhanced Aluminum – 96% Optical Diameter508 mm (20")Outer Diameter521 mm (20.5")ShapeHyperbolicMaterialEnhanced Aluminum – 96%CoatingFused Silica
Included Items Heating Elements for Dew Prevention - The heating pads on the primary and secondary mirror require the 600195 Delta-T controller sold separately OTA Cover - To protect the primary mirror and inside of the optical tube Flashdrive - Contains software and instructions for collimation and spacing the primary to secondary mirror Wrench Set (5812A35) - Standard hex wrenches (European orders only)
